Ruth 1:20,Ruth 1:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 1:19-22

Naomi and Ruth, after many a weary step (the fatigue of the journey, we may suppose, being somewhat relieved by the good instructions Naomi gave to her proselyte and the good discourse they had together), came at last to Bethlehem. And they came very seasonably, in the beginning of the barley-harvest, which was the first of their harvests, that of wheat following after. Now Naomi's own eyes might convince her of the truth of what she had heard in the country of Moab, that the Lord had visited... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:20

And she said, call me not Naomi, call me Mara ,.... The one signifying "prosperity", according to Josephus F13 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 9. sect. 2. , and the other "grief"; but he is not always correct in his interpretation of Hebrew words, or to be depended on; by this indeed her different states are well enough expressed, and he rightly observes, that she might more justly be called the one than the other; but the words signify, the one "sweet" and pleasant, and the other "bitter", see ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 1:20

Call me not Naomi - That is, beautiful or pleasant. Call me Mara - That is, bitter; one whose life is grievous to her. The Almighty - שדי Shaddai , He who is self-sufficient, has taken away the props and supports of my life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:15-22

Devoted attachment. I. Ruth was fixed in her desire and determination to CAST IS HER LOT WITH HER DESOLATE AND DESTITUTE MOTHER - IN - LAW . The absolute unselfishness of this determination is noteworthy, for— 1. Be it noted that Naomi was not one of those who are always murmuring and complaining because they do not receive sufficient consideration. 2. Still less did she claim as a right, or urge as a duty, that her daughter-in-law should become her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:19-21

Heart wounds reopened. Return after long absence to scenes of youth always affecting; he who returns is changed; they who receive him are changed too. Observe the reception which Naomi met from her former neighbors at Bethlehem. Their question, "Is this Naomi?" evinces— 1. Surprise. She is living! We see her again! Yet how is she changed! 2. Interest. How varied has been her experience whilst absent! And she loves Bethlehem so that she returns to it in her sorrow! 3. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:20

And she said to them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. Salutations were respectfully addressed to her as she walked along in quest of some humble abode. And when thus spoken to by the sympathetic townspeople, she was called, of course, by her old sweet name. But as it fell in its own rich music on her ears, its original import flashed vividly upon her mind. Her heart "filled" at the contrast which her circumstances represented, and she... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 1:20

See the margin. Similar allusions to the meaning of names are seen in Genesis 27:36; Jeremiah 20:3.The Almighty - שׁדי shadday (see the Genesis 17:1 note). The name “Almighty” is almost unique to the Pentateuch and to the Book of Job. It occurs twice in the Psalms, and four times in the Prophets. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 1:19-21

Ruth 1:19-21. Is this Naomi? Is this she that formerly lived in so much plenty and honour? How marvellously is her condition changed! Call me not Naomi Which signifies pleasant, and cheerful. Call me Mara Which signifies bitter, or sorrowful. I went out full With my husband and sons, and a plentiful estate for our support. Testified That is, hath borne witness, as it were, in judgment, and given sentence against me. Thus she acknowledges that the affliction came from God, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:1-22

1:1-22 TEN YEARS OF HARDSHIP IN MOABWhen a severe famine struck Israel, Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons across the Jordan and south to the land of Moab, in the hope of finding a living there. But Elimelech died, and within ten years his two sons, who had married Moabite wives, died also (1:1-5).Naomi saw no future for herself in Moab, so, upon hearing that the famine in Israel had passed, she decided to return home. Her daughters-in-law loved her and decided to go with her to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ruth 1:20

them. Feminine. And the verb "call" is feminine, also, so that Naomi was addressing the women. the ALMIGHTY = Shaddai. See App-4 . read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 1:19-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 1:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 1:20

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 1:19-21

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:1-22

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ruth 1:20

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